Portable advertisings display method and system that integrate with wireless network and internet

ABSTRACT

The subject invention relates to a method and system for people interact with central computer database and manipulate, communicate and display useful or commercial advertising information in a remote display device via intranet/internet/wireless network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

According to “Automobile” World Book Encyclopedia in year 2001, there is about 450 million passenger cars travel the streets and roads of the world. And also, NBC dateline surveys indicates, in some big city in USA such as Los Angeles, people average driving commuting time is 93 hours in year 2004. If considering an automobile as a carrier of an ads or some useful information, these could be a huge resources for advertising industry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method and system for providing, retrieving and displaying useful or commercial information is disclosed. In the following description, major specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough description of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example embodiment of the invention. It is a computer network connecting various systems. Although illustrated as the internet/intranet 104 and wireless network 105, the system is contemplated that any data communications network capable of connecting two or more computing device is acceptable.

A computer central database server 101 is accessible via the network. The network here is defined as intranet/internet 104 or wireless network 105 or any their combinations. The computer database server 101 comprises any type of computer system capable of storing, retrieving and providing the data. Processing may also occur at the central database server.

As shown in FIG. 1, users get access the central database via the network from any personal computer 102, computer terminal 102A, PDA or mobile phone 102N. There is a web site or domain associate with the central database 101 also. The web site works as a major application interface for each user to interact with the central database. Users may set up an account in the central database via the web site.

The central database user account contains the data that will be displayed in the remote display device. The data is defined as 1) useful information or message, e.g. “child on board”, “congestion ahead” etc. 2) commercial information or advertising, e.g. “car on sale”, “save our environment” etc.

As shown in FIG. 1, the data is received and displayed by a receiver/display device. The receiver/display device is capable of text/picture display such as LED or LCD. The receiver/display device is either being attached together and works as one unit like 103N or works separately but connected by wire like 103 or by local wireless network like 103B. It may work stand alone or as a built-in unit in an object such as an automobile.

Each receiver/display unit can store, retrieve, manipulate data and communicates with the central database 101, e.g. it sends back a feedback signal to the central database server to indicate its working status (on/off). It can be identified with a corresponding number. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable advertising system and method that integrated with wireless and internet. 